Whiffletree-iron



W. A. SLAPPEY. WHIFFLBTREE IRON.

(No Model.)

No. 368,735. Patented Aug. 23, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

lVILLIAM A. SLAPPEY, OF FORT VALLEY, GEORGIA, ASSIGNOR OF TWVO- THIRDSTO MILTON L. COOPER AND FRANK G. HOUSER, BOTH OF SAME PLACE.

WHIFFLETREE==|RON.

SPECIFICATION forming part0! Letters Patent No. 368,735, dated August23, 1887.

Application filed June 8, 1887. Serial No. 240,616.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. SLAPPEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Fort Valley, in the county of Houston and Stateof Georgia,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Whiffletree-Irons, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in whiffletree-irons; and itconsists in the construction and arrangement of the parts of the same,which will be more fully hereinafter described, and pointed out in theclaims.

The object of my invention is to provide means for positively securingthe traces to the whiffletree and preventing them from beingaccidentally detached therefrom, and dispensing with the use of theordinary lap-ring. I attain this object by the mechanism illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, wherein like letters of reference indicatesimilar parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is aperspective view of a whiffletree, showing my improvement in connectiontherewith. Fig. 2 is an elevation of my improvement. Fig. 3 is atransverse vertical section.

A indicates a ferrule of ordinary form of construction, having adepending portion, a, which has an aperture formed therethrough, whichhas a countersunk portion, a, in the upper portion thereof. This ferruleis cast or formed by forging in such a manner as to have the countersunkportion thereof to be formed on the inside thereof. This recess oraperture and countersunk portion of the ferrule form a seat for thereception of the neck b and upset head b of one half, B, of a hinged orjointed lap-ring, B. This half B of the said ring is so constructed thatit can be passed through the hole in the ferrule from the inside, andwhen the upset head has thus been arranged in the countersunk portion ofthe ferrule it cannot pull through, and,being out of contact with thewhiffletree wood, a swivel motion is allowed the neck portion of thelap-ring, as will be readily understood. The neck b of the half B of thelap-ring is formed with a mortise, b, extending vertically upward in the(No model.)

said neck, and which is engaged by a tenon, 6 formed with the half B ofthe lap-ring. XVhen the tenon and mortise have been thus united, theyare pivotally connected by the pivot-pin b, which permits of the saidparts being opened, when desired, as shown in Fig. 1. Each of thehalf-sections B and B are formed with shoulders I), which areconstructed of such dimensions as to form a ring when the two parts areunited. In case the half-section B should break, another can be adjustedto the same ferrule.

In connecting the traces to my improved form of attachment the section Bis opened and turned away from the section B, and the trace is firstpassed over the section or half B and then carried forward and passedover the end of the hinged section B, when the two parts are closed toform a ring and the trace secured in connection with the whiflletree.When the trace is thus secured in the two sections, the said sectionsare of themselves secured by the trace in connection therewith, as willbe readily understood.

The novelty and utility of my improvement being apparently obvious andappreciable, it

is unnecessary to further enlargeupon the same herein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. As an improved article of manufacture, a whiffletreeiron consistingof a two-part sectional lap-ring adapted to be opened, one sectionhaving a head, 12, formed therewith, engaging with a socket formed inthe ferrule A to form a swivel-joint, substantially as de scribed.

2. In combination with the ferrulek, having a depending projection, a,provided with an internal aperture or socket, the two-partpivotally-jointed lap-ring swiveled in the said socket in the projectiona, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with the ferrule A, having the depending projectiona,having an aperture therethrough and a countersunk portion at the topof said aperture, of the sectional or lap ring B, one part of which isformed with b, and the upset head b, substantially as de- 10 a neck, b,which is mounted in connection with scribed.

the aperture in the ferrule A, substantially as In testimony that Iclaim the foregoing as described. my own I have hereto affixed mysignature in 5 4. The combination, with the ferrule A, havpresence oftwo witnesses.

ing the depending portion a, formed with an WM. A. SLAPPEY.

aperture, having a countersunk portion adapt- Witnesses:

ed to be situated adjacent to the whiffletree A. B. GREENE,

wood, of the sectional ring B, having the neck a J. L. HYATT.

